K.K.Weil On...

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

As I did last year, I’m taking part in a fun and unique holiday
blog tour, in which all of the authors have been replaced by elves. J Come take a look…

Hello there! Elf Krafty Kelly here. It’s
that time of year again…time for holidays, egg nog and one of my favorites,
creative crafts. Each year, my mini-elf (aka my daughter), Ella Elfy and I make
a different creation to share with our family during our holiday celebrations.
This year, we’ve chosen a lovely window treatment. Here’s what you do:

First, get a
dozen shatterproof Christmas ball ornaments. We used 2 colors, but you can use
whatever colors strike your fancy.

Second, cut
thin ribbon (we used one with snowmen and one with penguins) into twelve strips
of different lengths of your window. Some should be short and some long so that
when you hang them from your window, they will be staggered.

Third,
thread one end of the ribbon through the hole in the ornament and tie a knot.

Next, tie
the other end of the ribbon to a curtain rod. Your ornaments will hang in a row
in all different lengths in front of the window.

Finally,
wrap garland around the curtain rod so you can’t see the ribbon ties.

Enjoy your
beautifully decorated window.

What are some of your favorite holiday crafts? Comment below for a chance to win a copy of my holiday novella, Better to Give.

Here's a full list of the authors taking part in this tour. Stop by their blogs for more fun and chances to win:

Friday, July 14, 2017

I’ll be honest. Writing blogs about my own thoughts
isn’t my favorite part of being an author. Of course, every job has parts we
don’t love, and we strive to do our best at them anyway. But for months, I
wondered how I could make blogging more exciting for me. Primarily, I wondered
how I could make it truly interactive.

Then, a few months ago, after lots of ideas that went
nowhere and long periods of not blogging at all, because I was trying to create
something that suited me better, I came up with an idea that I’m thrilled to
share today.

It’s called Novel Concepts. Eight other wonderful
authors and I have teamed up for this new, interactive blog. Our tag line…where you’re heard until the final word…says
just what it’s about.

Here’s how it works:

Novel Concepts is a tag-team, short story blog. Each
Monday, one of us will post a portion of a short story. At the end of our
segment, we will offer 2 options for what could happen next (a Choose Your Own
Adventure type thing). Readers post their choices in the comments section. The
majority will rule and the next writer will continue the story based on our
readers’ opinions. So to everyone who ever hated what a character did, who
yelled at their books or their Kindles, wondering how an author could subject a
character to such foolish actions, here’s your chance. YOU get to decide where
the story goes. Every single week. Right up until the last segment.

We launch this Monday, July 17th! The first
segment of our pilot story will be posted in the morning and you can have a say
in what happens from the start. Right now, there’s nothing on the main page but
a “Coming soon” message, but if you go to the site today, http://novelconcepts1.blogspot.com/p/what-is-novel-concepts.html,
you can follow the blog so you’ll never miss a post. And while you’re waiting,
you can go to the “About Us” page to check out all the authors participating in
this crazy endeavor.

We can’t wait to hear your opinions. The fate of our
characters is in your hands!

Monday, April 24, 2017

I’m so excited to be participating in The Highway
Café’s Spring ‘Tastic blog tour, where so many talented authors are sharing
their ideas about this time of year. Brainstorming for this tour actually
inspired my last blog post, as we threw around the idea of new beginnings at that time, and I figured that would be a great
lead in to this post.

So here is my take on spring. Check out the other
posts for this tour with the link below. J

My daughter was going through her closet this morning
and found her karaoke machine tucked neatly in the corner. When she asked me
why it was in there, instead of in its usual place – sitting untouched in my
family room – I explained that it hadn’t been used in a while and though she
could use it whenever she wanted, it had to find a home. She was less than
thrilled, but I was happy to have one less thing to dust.

I’m not sure what it is about this time of year that
always makes me want to throw things away. During the colder months, I’m happy
to hibernate. A few extra toys or books around don’t bother me. But as soon as
the sun starts to shine into my windows and I can turn my heat off, it’s like a
switch flicks inside of me and I want to toss away everything that does not
have an immediate use. Cabinets get emptied, closets get purged of unworn
clothing, and toys that haven’t been played with in a long time magically
disappear.

I don’t think I’m alone in this. It’s an inspiring
time of year, at least here in the northeast where people start emerging from
their houses, enjoying the weather as they go to playgrounds and ball games.
They chatter as if they haven’t seen each other in years. Maybe they’re happy
because they’re doing the same thing I am. Throwing away the old to make room
for the new. Leaving the winter doldrums behind and welcoming the spring
flowers (and showers, as we’ve had many so far).

It’s not just physical stuff, either. In spring, I’m
more motivated. I want to clear the cobwebs in my head, not just my closets,
and accomplish things I’ve been putting off. Fling the old ideas out the
window, get rid of the things holding me back, and move on.

I’ve got a few new plans on the horizon. Doing a mental
spring cleaning will free up lots of time to help make these plans successful.
And who knows what wonderful thing will fill the space where there was once a
dusty karaoke machine?

Do you ever do a mental spring cleaning…or a physical
one? What kinds of things do you toss away? What do you make room for?

Somewhere on my website, www.kkweil.com I’ve hidden an egg. If you find it, leave a comment here letting me know and
then go to The Highway Café’s site at http://transcanadaromancewriters.blogspot.ca/2017/04/spring-tastic-tour.htmland leave a comment there, saying where you
found it, for a CHANCE TO WIN A “BASKET OF BOOKS”. Don’t forget to check out
the posts by the other wonderful authors on the Highway Café’s Spring ‘Tastic
Tour as well and enter for more chances to win!

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

There’s a tree in my front yard that sits bare for the
entire winter. When the weather starts to get warm, it blooms. First, with
small white flowers and then, about a week later, they turn the most lovely
pink. Though spring officially began weeks ago, it’s the blooming of that tree
that means it’s really here to me.

We look for a lot of moments throughout the year to
start over. January first screams resolutions, a birthday means starting a personal
new year and spring breathes life into so many things in nature. When I noticed
my tree this morning, I thought of just that – a new beginning.

Each day, I bounce back and forth between enjoying my
writing and my other job, teaching. But for over a year now, I’ve been remiss
in doing this, keeping up with my blog, sharing my thoughts. I’ve been toying
with the idea of revamping my blog to make it more interactive with readers and
writers. Because of this (or maybe because I’m using it as an excuse), I’ve neglected
to keep up with writing regular posts. I told myself I’d begin again when the
New Year came, but that didn’t happen. Then I set another date that was
meaningful to me, but I didn’t do it then, either.

I think it’s human nature to do that. Put something
off because the timing isn’t perfect, or it’s not exactly what we want to it
be. I’ve done that more times that I could possibly count. What I realized
today is that it doesn’t need to be some special date, and all the stars don’t
have to align. I just have to do it. Sit down, even if it’s not ready, even if
my interactive blog idea isn’t flushed out yet, and write a post.

So here I am. Ready for my new beginning. Or my
re-beginning. Hopefully, like my tree outside, it will bloom into something
lovely.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Check out this awesome novel by fellow author Lori Sizemore...

Blurb

Justine Montgomery, daughter of a divorced beauty queen and
TV magnate, is a tabloid disaster after her infamous sex tape. She’s so
desperate to help save her family’s home she turns to her deal-making dad. Can
she prove to him she’s cut out for a career in television or will she lose it
all?

Sawyer has his own past and a successful career is his only
goal. Seeing Justine fail would mean the promotion of a lifetime, but things
get complicated when he develops feelings for her. Suddenly, the lines between
work, life, sex, and love are blurry.

They will have to overcome the bitterness of a rejected ex,
the controlling actions of her father, and the half-truths they’re telling one
another to forge a lasting partnership both on the job and off the clock.

Buy Links

Friday, December 9, 2016

Check out this new release from the talented Tena Stetler, available today, just in time for the holidays.

A Witch's Holiday Wedding by Tena Stetler

Blurb:

Elemental witch, Pepper McKay and former Navy SEAL, Lathen Quartz have built Lobster Cove Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on enchanted McKay land. During a romantic interlude on Halloween night, Pepper happily agrees to become Lathen’s wife. What better day than Winter Solstice for their wedding in a town that loves celebrations and Christmas. However, planning a wedding and operating their wildlife center takes a toll on both Pepper and Lathen.

When the couple takes a much-needed break for Thanksgiving with family in Colorado, a Maine snowstorm fills the center with injured wildlife. Lathen finds himself drawn into a covert military mission, while trying to deal with issues concerning friends and family. Pepper wants to cancel the wedding. Is she having second thoughts? Will the nosy McKay ghosts, Lathen’s werewolf pack, Pepper’s parents, and her best friend help or hinder the wedding and holiday plans?

Excerpt:

A strong arm whipped around her waist, the air whooshed out as she squealed. Pepper balled up her gloved fist as a large warm hand wrapped around her wrist. "I've seen you defend yourself. Not going to chance it." A deep voice chuckled behind her.

"Lathen -- I'm going to..."

He spun her around and covered her cold lips with his warm ones. Werewolves run several degrees warmer than most of the population, one of the many things she loved about him. She relaxed into him, their parkas making a wisping sound as the material rubbed against each other. "That's better," he murmured against her lips.

All at once the lights in the town square blinked on. Low positioned red and green laser light decorations sparkled over the snow-covered ground and onto the gazebo complementing the white lights. From the other direction, a blue laser sprinkled tiny snowflakes across the building. Evening fell quickly in December.

"This is absolutely beautiful," She breathed against his chilled cheek and whirled out of his hold taking in all the lighted decorations not visible earlier. Then she pointed toward the bulletin board. "I've been reading the town's holiday events, Lobster Cove really embraces Christmas."

"Told you." Lathen said smugly. "Even some of the boats docked in the harbor are decked out with colored lights."

Sunday, December 4, 2016

I’m taking part in a
fun and unique holiday blog tour, in which all of the authors have been
replaced by elves. J Come take a look…

Hi, I’m am elf named
Krafty Kelly.

At the North Pole, I am a gift wrapper. I love
my job because I get to be creative and decorative all day long. But beware,
because my crafty nature isn’t limited to wrapping…you might find some tricky
surprises in those bows and ribbons.

While working, I like
listening to fun, upbeat holiday songs, like Sleigh Ride and I Saw Mommy
Kissing Santa Claus.

My favorite holiday drink
is eggnog with Irish cream. When I put some marshmallows on top, it becomes a
snack, too. J

I’m a Secret Santa for
Frangelica Tinselbaubles. For Christmas, I’m giving her a sweet bar,
filled with nuts, melted chocolate, cookies crumbles, caramel and jam, to top
her delicious shortbread cookies.

Here’s a special
holiday craft:

Homemade wreaths

If you buy a Christmas
tree that has some sagging branches that need to be cut off, put the branches
to good use.

Bend a wire hanger
into a circle. Overlap branches in a circle and attach to the wire hanger, and
to each other, with a hot glue gun. Secure to hanger by tying twine around the
branches and hanger in several spots. Cover the twine with tinsel or ribbon so
it doesn’t show. Hot glue any other decorations you want, and you have your own
lovely wreath.

An act of
charity brings them together, but can they be as generous to each other?

For most people, the
holidays are a time of warmth, happiness and celebration. But to Jenna Samuels,
they mean only one thing. Mounting debt. A single mother, Jenna struggles to
make ends meet and to her, it’s a season of excess and distress.

James Garrison is in
over his head, too. His ex-wife said he wasn’t equipped to take care of his
twins, and now that he’s got joint custody, he fears she was right. They’re
wild, spoiled, and always fighting. When they knock Jenna’s daughter into the
“Gifting Tree,”—a part of their town’s charity collection—the parents are
immediately attracted to each other. But James has had his fill of cold women
and Jenna won’t make the mistake of falling for another man who disappears when
life gets too heavy.

As their paths cross,
James and Jenna must decide whether first impressions are accurate, or if
sometimes, people are not what you assume at all.